It’s not Napa or Sonoma, or even Paso Robles, at least in terms of reputation and recognition. The Temecula Valley is, 
however, a wine making region that wine lovers should know about. I had the chance to spend a day in the valley last year, and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the wines. This is serious wine country, and the wineries dot the landscape on both sides of Rancho California Road, as well as several others. You could spend two or three days here and not get to everything.
In the June/July issue of the Wine Enthusiast, they highlight the area and several of the wineries. One of these is my favorite in the valley to date, that being Hart Family Winery. You can read more about Hart by clicking here. They have a fairly wide range of varietals and blends. Some of my favorites were their Rousanne, a complex white usually associated with the Rhone Valley, their Arneis, another complex white generally found 
in the Piemonte Region of northwest Italy, and the Driveway Red, a Bordeaux style red blend made from grapes that grow along both sides of the driveway as you head toward the winery and tasting room.
Hart Family Winery was established in 1973, and it is the oldest winery in the valley still run by the original family. It’s the first winery you come across as you enter wine country on Rancho California Road, and it is one of the best. If you go to the Temecula Valley, definitely go here.
A votre santé!
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